Tom Watson, Jr.

Tom Watson, Jr.
Time magazine ran the cover story "The Brain Builders" on Tom Watson, Jr., and IBM on March 28, 1955. IBM had just installed a model 702 Electronic Data Processing Machine in its Monsanto HQ in St. Louis, called "the giant brain." It had 2500 tubes, did 7200 logical operations per sec., with punch card and magnetic tape storage. It was the result of IBM slogan "Think" and Tom Watson, Jr., who took over presidency of IBM in 1952, and who led the battle to automate American business. IBM had orders for 14 model 702s at a monthly rental of $20,000, and had delivered 19 of the earlier model 701. The AEC had 3 model 701 machines, the Weather Bureau had one model 701. IBM had just delivered the NORC computer to the Navy, and had 109 orders for the new 704 and 705 models that will cost IBM $1 million each to build.